I am extremely concerned about the third extension of the Operating and Maintenance Agreement between EPCOR and the District of Sooke. According to the Community Charter this is completely illegal. This agreement must by now have been put to a vote by the citizens of Sooke. It cannot run beyond five years without voter approval. This is not the first time that both the CEO as well as the CAO have ignored the Community Charter’s provisions over the years and various councils.
It would appear that the District of Sooke is without an agreement with EPCOR. I know that this can be checked out with the district’s legal advisors, at the earliest possible date. If the non-existence of such an agreement is the case, all sorts of liability and legal issues may arise and raise their ugly heads. If there is no agreement due to this serious lapse in existence, can either party just walk away from this previous agreement?
A legal, by the District of Sooke solicitor, public clarification of this issue is most urgent.
Fred von Ilberg
Sooke